Page 36 of Hollow Court
Gallagher sighed, falling onto the small sofa against the opposite wall.
“More like they talked to me,” he said. “Though, I suppose it’s to their credit that they waited until we were all the way here to ask where the real Gwyn was.”
At my apprehensive expression, he turned his head toward me, giving me a gentle smile.
“We knew we couldn’t keep this from them,” he reminded me. “It’s why we chose the men we did. We’ve also let them know we have an eye out for traitors and sworn them to silence. It’s everyone else we’re worried about finding out. So, if we pass anyone on the road, be sure to proclaim loudly that you could beat them in a duel, and they’ll have no problem believing you’re my sister.”
I couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my lips.
Gallagher returned it, running a tired hand over his face while guilt pricked at my insides.
“I’m sorry you had to go to all this trouble,” I told him sincerely.
He waved a dismissive hand. “This is hardly the first time we’ve had to change our plans because of the rebels.”
I nodded tiredly, settling into bed. It should have been awkward, preparing to sleep in a room with a man I barely knew, but Gallagher had a calming presence about him.
Only once I was under the blankets and propped against my pillow did I force myself to ask the question that had been relentlessly churning in my mind.
“Are you worried?” My voice was barely a whisper.
Gallagher heaved a sigh, shifting to face me. “I have hopes that Davin will keep my sister from being too reckless. They’ll keep each other safe.”
I nodded, shoving the apprehension back in the box where it belonged. Davin wasn’t mine to worry about, and Gwyn certainly seemed to be able to take care of herself.
Another few minutes of silence ticked by, but I didn’t seem to be the only one struggling to sleep. Gallagher was the first to speak this time.
“What will you do when you’re finished helping Davin?”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised Davin hadn’t shared this part of our arrangement. “If I go without a betrothal contract, my uncle could demand my return. So when we’re nearing the end of the six months, Davin will help me secure things with the most likely…candidate...”
I trailed off as the awkwardness of me being thrown together in a room with the second most eligible lord in all of Lochlann dawned on me.
“So you’re going to be quietly searching for a husband while you’re betrothed to Davin?” There was no judgment in his tone, only curiosity.
Which was just as concerning.
I searched for a polite way to tell him I would rather die than marry into Davin’s family, but he preempted me, speaking quickly before I could respond.
“I wasn’t offering. Not that you aren’t lovely.” He winced. “But I’m afraid there’s a lass in the village who might be inclined toward murdering one or both of us, which is something I feel we’ve had our share of already.”
He gave me another of his easy smiles, adding, “That’s not common knowledge, by the way, so…now you know one of my secrets as well. I hope you didn’t…”
“I’m not offended,” I said, letting out a relieved breath. “Quite the opposite.”
He scrutinized my expression.
“So I see. Now I’m wondering if perhaps I should be offended,” he said drily.
It was my turn to scrutinize him.
He had the same light-brown skin, crimson hair, and hazel eyes as his sister, but Gallagher was decidedly masculine. There was a light stubble on his square jaw, and the muscles in his broad shoulders were evident, even with his shirt on.
Add to that his understated humor and thoughtful mannerisms and general lack of being anaalio, and I suspected he knew he had nothing to be concerned about.
“Not unless you’d like to be offended on Davin’s behalf,” I admitted. “I can think of few things worse than having to see him at every family engagement for the rest of my life. The next six months will be more than enough.”
He choked on a laugh. “I suppose that answers the question of why you aren’t just sticking with this arrangement. It’s probably for the best, then. Stars know our family has enough gossip surrounding us withoutthe royal family stealing one another’s fiancésadded to the mix.”